Blackberry Czech Sweeps Into Poll

Kindergarten winner graduates into the rankings.

May 23, 2012

A gate-to-wire victory in Sunday’s $268,200 Kindergarten Futurity (G2) by Blackberry Czech was rewarded with a No. 5 national ranking in this week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com National Top-10 Poll for 2-year-olds. The Corona Czech filly was the big mover in this week’s polls, which also saw Cold Cash 123 remain the unanimous top choice among the older horses.

Blackberry Czech is now 2-for-3 lifetime after setting the fastest Kindergarten Futurity qualifying time in her trial and then annexing the rich final. Unbeaten Remington Park Futurity (R) winner Lota PYC remains the No. 1-ranked juvenile in the land this week, edging West Texas Futurity (G1) champ El Duero. The latter could make a case for the top spot in Saturday night’s $1,115,000 Heritage Place Futurity (G1) final at Remington Park. That field also includes No. 3-ranked Dash For Coronas and No. 6-ranked PYC Kant Katch Me.

As for the older horses, the top four remained unchanged this week, while A Toss Up and Kobe swapped spots at No. 5 and 6. The poll’s only newcomer this week was No. 10-ranked Nowurtalking, the Mexican invader who won the Sam Houston Classic (G2) in his United States debut on May 5. Sunday’s Remington Park Championship (G1) could have a major impact on the appearance of the older horse rankings next week.